First Look at the 2009 Acura TSX

Acura’s entry-level TSX as been a hit for Honda’s luxury brand. When it first debuted as a 2004 model, Acura said the new sedan was like a four-door version of the RSX coupe, even though it was really rooted in the sporty European Accord. No matter the platform, however, the TSX was a fantastic ride—and it still is. With a 2.4-liter, 200-hp i-VTEC four-cylinder and a super-slick five-speed manual, it was always a very rewarding car to hustle.

Well the 2009 model promises to provide even more smiles. The all-new TSX will make its world debut at the New York auto show on March 19, and Acura says it will come loaded with “numerous advancements in performance, styling, technology and safety.”

That’s all they’re officially letting out right now, but we hear the new sedan might have quite a bit of fun up its sleeve for the enthusiast driver as well as those looking to get a few more MPGs at the pump.

We’ve heard rumors on two engines, both of which we hope become available:

First off, the new TSX might get a version of the RDX corssover’s turbocharged engine. That would provide the sedan with a frisky, 240-hp four-cylinder to battle the stout six-cylinder engines in Acura’s German and Japanese competitors.

And we’ve heard this juicy tip from a few folks close to Honda: Later in the year, the TSX could get a clean diesel. That engine would likely be the 2.2-liter i-DTEC that we saw last year at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Once again, the TSX will be based on the all-new European Accord, which is set to debut in early March at the Geneva Motor Show. We’ll have much more information then.

Article by Ben Stewart – Popular Mechanics